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Wednesday, July 22, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
International Cooperation - More than Just Aid
AUSTRALIA: Do More Regionally to Stop HIV/AIDS Gov’t Told
While HIV infection rates remain relatively low in Australia, the peak non-governmental organisation representing the country’s community-based response to HIV/AIDS wants the government to do more to fund prevention measures here and in the region to counter rising infection rates.ECONOMY-CHINA: Misgivings Emerge Over Stimulus Package
World politicians and economists have cheered the stimulus package unveiled by Beijing this month, touting it as the biggest economic recovery plan of peace time - but there are misgivings.INDONESIA: Saying No, Thank You to IMF Loans
When the Asian financial crisis struck a decade ago, savaging South-east Asian economies, including Indonesia, Jakarta turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help in getting the country back on its feet.POLITICS-JAPAN: Aiming For Middle Power Status?
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is nose-diving in the polls, its gaffe-prone prime minister Taro Aso has acquired a reputation as his party’s funeral director, and a pivotal election may transform the Japanese political landscape before September.CHINA/US: Balking at Changing Dollar-Centric Economic Order
The spectre of a prolonged global recession has dampened China’s wish for a world financial order less dominated by the United States and its dollar, giving way to more urgent dealings with recession worries at home.CUBA: Foreign Aid Helps Fund Cultural Activities
In Cuba, international aid is promoting the advancement of cultural projects, adopting an approach that enriches the traditional perspective on development with a dimension closer to the needs of the human spirit.CUBA-CHINA: Strengthening Friendly Ties
Cuba and China strengthened their political and economic alliance this week, at a time when the EU and Cuba have formally restored relations and the government of Raúl Castro is forging closer ties with the rest of Latin America and with Moscow.
JAPAN/US: Obama’s Election Unlikely to Disturb Ties – Analysts
While Barack Obama’s election as president of the United States is expected to shake up international relations it may not bring any change in Washington’s special ties with this country.AUSTRALIA/US: Afghanistan – Potential Sticking Point For Obama
While change may have come to the United States - as professed by president-elect Barack Obama following his election victory, a result largely welcomed here - Australia’s alliance with the superpower is likely to remain strong.SOUTH PACIFIC: Obama Win Inspirational
Washington’s policy in the South Pacific is unlikely to change much with Barack Obama’s win in the U.S. presidential elections, but the historic victory should serve as an inspiration for the region, say commentators.SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Obama Victory Spells Renewed US Interest
In Indonesia, many know him as ‘’Barry’’. To others U.S. president-elect Barack Obama is the ‘’Menteng Kid’’ for the primary school he attended while living in South-east Asia’s largest country.DRUGS-BOLIVIA: DEA Ousted – What Now?
Relations between Bolivia and the United States have reached a new low over La Paz's recent decision to expel the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The fight against drug trafficking and resources to rehabilitate addicts are also in jeopardy, experts warn.
VIETNAM: Scant Interest in US Elections
While the US Presidential election has gripped the world, there is little interest in this city where Republican candidate John McCain spent over five years as a prisoner of war.PHILIPPINES: ‘Migrants Deserve Better From Host, Home Countries’
Government officials and civil society members from 163 countries, gathered here for a meeting on migration, agreed Thursday that it was time to look beyond economic benefits and give the phenomenon ‘human face’.POLITICS: Thai Tensions Form Apt Backdrop for ASEAN Meet
The decision by Thai government to shift the venue of a regional summit from Bangkok to the northern city of Chiang Mai points to an administration unsure of its place in the country’s capital.
ECONOMY: Asia, EU Leaders Moot Deep Global Reforms
A two-day meeting of European and Asian leaders in Beijing has produced a joint statement pledging a coordinated response to the global financial crisis, but concrete action is seen dependant on the entry of Asia’s emerging economies into global policy-setting institutions.CUBA-EU: One Step Closer
Cuba and the European Union have agreed to reestablish development cooperation, interrupted five years ago, in another step towards overcoming differences, following the resumption of political dialogue in Paris last week.BURMA: Cyclone Relief – Distrust of Junta Deters Donors
Burma’s military regime is struggling to attract international aid nearly six months after the powerful Cyclone Nargis tore through the country’s Irrawaddy Delta. The financial shortfall has more to do with distrust of the junta than donor fatigue.
INDIA: Reaching for the Moon on a Shoestring Budget
With the successful launch of its maiden, unmanned mission to the moon, India has signalled growing confidence as an emerging Asian space power, ready to rub shoulders with Japan and China.JAPAN/NORTH KOREA: Abductees Issue Traded Over Nuclear Deal
With Washington removing North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, Japan finds itself isolated over the issue of its nationals abducted by the reclusive communist state, during the cold war, to be trained as spies.ECONOMY: Asia-EU Summit to Address ‘Financial Tsunami’
Cast in the role of global saviour in the unfolding financial turmoil, China is playing host to a meeting of Asian and European leaders in Beijing this week that is expected to castigate the Anglo-Saxon model of capitalism and press for a reshaped global economic order.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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